Ergonomic Cooler

ABSTRACT

An ergonomic cooler providing quick and easy access to ice through a side ice access. The exposure of the ice to debris is reduced. The interior compartments have modular configurations. Ice is accessed with a scoop or utensil with minimal wrist movement.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure pertains to coolers with storage compartments and ergonomic ice access. More specifically, the present disclosure pertains to portable coolers with organizational storage and access features.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Coolers generally are insulated containers designed to keep contents secure and cold. Ice, dry ice, or ice packs are added to an interior where food, beverages, and condiments are placed. The cooler is closed and toted. A person opens the cooler to access the contents. Usually, the contents become disorganized, wilted, smashed, or buried under ice or ice packs. It is difficult to maintain the integrity of delicate items such as berries and other soft fruit.

With conventional coolers, storing large items such as 2-liter bottles of soda or water or bottles of alcoholic beverages is inconvenient or not possible due to interior size constraints and balancing the space requirements for cooling apparatuses such as ice packs and ice and for the ingredients or components to be kept cool.

Traditionally, when a person desires to access the contents of a cooler, a cooler top is opened or released to reveal the interior space housing the ice, ice packs, food, and beverages. Some coolers require complete opening or removal of the entire top or opening up a portion of the top to access interior components. E.very time traditional coolers are opened, heat enters the interior, resulting in faster melting of the ice or ice packs. The cooler's cooling time is reduced.

Traditional coolers also do not have a convenient configuration for accessing ice. For example, a traditional cooler top is opened to expose a mixture of ice, beverages, food, and other ingredients. The ice is difficult to keep clean and separate from the components. Most coolers also do not provide segmented areas that can be insulated to be cooled and non-insulated or non-cooled. This is inefficient for when storage is necessary for food, beverages, or other ingredients that do not need to be placed directly on ice or ice packs.

Coolers also serve as a portable ice chest where ice can be stored on its own or in combination with other food and beverage components in the cooler interior. Ice is accessed by scooping the ice out of the cooler interior with a cup, a small bowl, or a scoop. Typically, a person holds the scooping apparatus in a downward direction to insert the scoop into the ice. Then the person rotates the wrist upward to bring the scoop through the ice to collect ice in the scoop and then bring the scoop upward filled with ice and out of the cooler. This movement requires much elbow room and scooping room in the ice compartment. It also requires full opening of the top of the cooler, exposing the ice to debris, and causes the ice to melt more quickly.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

What is needed is a cooler having an all-in-one storage, organization, and ice access solution for maximized efficiency and comfort. The cooler comprises a housing defined by four sides and a bottom defining an interior surface and an exterior surface. The cooler has a top that fits over the four sides and is parallel to the bottom. The cooler has an ice access having a door that is pulled away from the housing to reveal an ice receptacle containing ice from an ice compartment. The cooler has a side access providing access to a compartment housing.

In one embodiment, the side access contains a plurality of compartments. In another embodiment, the side access contains a rolling door that provides a substantially flat side surface of the cooler when closed or an opening to an interior compartment housing when opened.

In one embodiment, the cooler interior space has an ice compartment and a large ingredient storage space defined by an ice compartment barrier that separates the ice compartment from the remaining interior space. The ice compartment barrier is fixed in place or is removable and modular. Interior compartments and compartment housings can also be customizable, interchangeable, or modular.

The cooler having an ice access on a side of the exterior of the cooler provides methods for accessing ice inside a cooler while minimizing ice contamination and melting. The ice access provides a threshold and comprises a door that is released or pulled away from the ice access to reveal the interior ice compartment. The door has a receptacle facilitating easy scooping of the ice. A person grabs a scoop, inserts the scoop into the door receptacle or through the threshold and into the ice compartment. The door receptacle either contains ice or provides access through the threshold into the ice compartment. The scoop is angled upward when inserted into the ice. The scoop is removed from the ice compartment or receptacle and out through the threshold and with little to no wrist pivoting required. The ice access door is closed by pushing the door inward toward the cooler exterior surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings that are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an exemplary cooler having an ice access and combination side access with compartments and a side access door.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view showing the interior and the exterior of an exemplary cooler having an ice access and side access with compartments.

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view showing the interior and exterior of an exemplary cooler having interior organization components.

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of an exemplary cooler having an ice access and a side access with a door and direction of ice scoop utility.

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of an exemplary cooler having an exterior storage, a connector, and a strap.

FIG. 6 shows a rear perspective view of an exemplary cooler.

NUMERALS OF THE FIGURES

1. Cooler

3. Housing

6. Exterior Surface

9. Side

12. Top

15. Storage

18. Connector

21. Strap

24. Ice access

27. Seal at threshold

30. Door

33. Side Access

36. Compartment

39. Side access door

42. Side access interior

45. Ingredient

48. Side access door rail

51. lice

54. Door receptacle

57. Compartment housing

60. Large ingredient storage space

63. Interior surface

66. Compartment interior

69. Ice compartment

72. Ice compartment barrier

75. Hand

78. Scoop or utensil

81. Bottom

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides generally for an ergonomic cooler that provides improved organization of components and access to ice and ingredients in a portable form. The cooler of the present disclosure allows access to ice with reduced exposure to debris and melting. The cooler of the present disclosure allows full upright storage of larger ingredients such as bottles. Smaller ingredients such as cans, condiments, garnishes, and other food can be organized and stored in a side access. The side access comprises compartments, doors, or both.

The present disclosure provides for methods of accessing ice in a cooler without removing the cooler top. Exemplary coolers contain an ice access that provides a threshold where a door is presented. The door is opened outward to reveal a receptacle. When the door is closed, the door provides a flat surface at the cooler side. The receptacle of the closed door is present in the interior ice compartment. Ice fills the receptacle, or the receptacle may provide access to the interior compartment when opened. The side access to ice provides for a quick, easy, and less intrusive structure for obtaining ice.

The present disclosure presents coolers that may be used for personal use such as for beach and picnic leisure days. The present disclosure also presents coolers that may be used for commercial and promotional purposes, especially in the craft cocktail industry. The exemplary coolers provide for organized. and substantially clean storage and access to ice and ingredients such as spirits, wine, beer, soft drinks, garnishments, condiments, bartender tools, ice scoops, cutlery, and drinkware.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of an exemplary cooler having an ice access and combination side access with compartments and a side access door is shown. Specifically, a cooler having a housing, exterior surface, sides, top, exterior storage, connector, strap, ice access, seal at a threshold, ice access door, side access, compartment, side access door, side access interior, and a side access door rail. The various compartments are configured for storing and accessing ingredients. Ingredients may be any food, beverage, or condiment. For example, an ingredient may be a can of soda or drink mixer, or an ingredient may be a two-liter bottle of soda. An ingredient may be a bottle of liquor. An ingredient may also be condiments or garnishments. Tools, cutlery, and drinkware may also be stored in the exterior storage or in the compartments. The exterior storage may be a pouch or pocket that may be open or closed.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a front perspective view and a top perspective view, respectively, showing the interior and the exterior of an exemplary cooler having an ice access and side access with compartments is shown. Specifically, the cooler top, ice, door, door receptacle, ice access, compartment housing, large ingredient storage space, interior surface, ingredient, compartment interior, sides, housing, ice compartment, and ice compartment barrier.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a front perspective view of an exemplary cooler having an ice access and a side access with a door and direction of ice scoop utility is shown. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows the cooler with an exemplary ice access, door, ice compartment, ice compartment barrier, housing, sides, compartment interior, ingredient, interior surface, large ingredient storage space, compartment housing, top, exterior surface, and ice.

Regarding the ice compartment barrier, the barrier can be fixed in place to the cooler interior space to define a separate compartment for the ice, or the barrier can be removable. Barriers may comprise a solid surface that may or may not be insulated. The materials are comparable to the interior space materials such as Styrofoam, plastic, cork, or any other natural or synthetic material.

Furthermore, the cooler configuration, particularly the ice access presented on any side of the cooler provides for quick and easy access to ice while minimizing contamination and melting. A person opens the ice access door away from the cooler exterior surface. The ice access door opens outward and downward to reveal an ice receptacle containing ice and providing access to the ice compartment interior. The ice may be accessed from the receptacle or may be accessed directly from the ice compartment. Either way, the ice is accessed inside the cooler without requiring the removal of the cooler lid.

A person may use a scoop or utensil to collect ice from the ice access. Utensils may be spoons, cups, or tongs. A person grabs the scoop or utensil and opens the ice access door to reveal the ice. The scoop is inserted into the ice receptacle or through the threshold and directly into the ice compartment. Preferred configurations of exemplary coolers provide ice access and retrieval requiring minimal wrist pivoting or rotation. This allows for faster, easier, more comfortable, and more hygienic ice access. For example, a person may hold a scoop or utensil, angle it upward, insert the scoop or utensil into the receptacle or through the threshold, collect ice, and pull the scoop or utensil away from the ice access while retaining ice in the scoop or utensil. This is different from traditional ice gathering where a scoop is angled downward into the ice and then the wrist is pivoted to angle the scoop upward to retain the ice. The preferred embodiments and methods also substantially eliminate the need to perform a scooping or swooping movement to collect and retain ice in a scoop or utensil.

Turning now to FIG. 5, Specifically, FIG. 5 shows the cooler top, bottom, sides, exterior surface, strap, connector, ice access, side access, exterior storage, and an exemplary compartment. Exemplary coolers may be made in any polygonal or spherical shape. The cooler additionally may comprise other components to facilitate portability such as retractable handles, side handles, or wheels.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a rear perspective view of an exemplary cooler is shown. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows the cooler with the top, bottom, sides, exterior surface, strap, connector, exterior storage, and housing. Exemplary straps may provide a single length for shoulder, hand, or cross-body carry. In other embodiments, the strap may have a harness configuration for vendor use. When exemplary coolers are configured for vendor use, the cooler may lie to the front or to the side of a person's body and is supported from the bottom and sides by a harness strap.

CONCLUSION

A number of embodiments of the present disclosure have been. described. While this specification contains many specific implementation details, they should not he construed as limitations on the scope of any disclosures or of what may be claimed. Rather the specification presents descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in combination in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the fallowing claims. Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An ergonomic cooler comprising: a housing defined by four sides and a bottom defining an interior surface and an exterior surface; a top that fits over the four sides and is parallel to the bottom; an ice access having a door with an ice receptacle that is pulled away from the housing to reveal the ice receptacle containing ice from an. ice compartment; and a side access providing access to a compartment housing.
 2. The cooler of claim 1 further comprising a connector on each of two sides of the cooler exterior surface.
 3. The cooler of claim 2 further comprising a strap connected on one end to one side of the cooler exterior surface and on a second end on a second side of the cooler exterior surface.
 4. The cooler of claim 3 wherein the strap is configured as a harness, shoulder sling, or cross-body sling.
 5. The cooler of claim 1 wherein the side access has a roll-down side access door revealing a side access interior.
 6. The cooler of claim 1 wherein the side access reveals at least one compartment housing with a compartment space for accommodating the storage and access of ingredients.
 7. The cooler of claim 1 wherein the cooler interior surface provides an ice compartment and a large ingredient storage space.
 8. The cooler of claim 7 wherein the ice compartment is separated from the large ingredient storage space by an ice compartment barrier.
 9. The cooler of claim 8 wherein the ice compartment barrier is modular and removably attached to the cooler interior surface.
 10. The cooler of claim 1 wherein the ice access door further comprises a seal at the ice access threshold.
 11. The cooler of claim 1 wherein the ice access is on a front side of the housing.
 12. A method of accessing ice from an ergonomic cooler comprising a housing defined by four sides and a bottom defining an interior surface and an. exterior surface, a top that fits over the four sides and is parallel to the bottom, an ice access having a door with an ice receptacle that is pulled away from the housing to reveal the receptacle containing ice from an ice compartment, and a side access providing access to a compartment housing; the method steps comprising: locating the ice access door with an ice receptacle, pulling the ice access door away from the cooler housing, and revealing ice from the ice compartment while the cooler top is fitted over the four sides.
 13. The method steps of claim 12 further comprising dispensing ice from the ice compartment into the door ice receptacle.
 14. The method steps of claim 12 further comprising pushing the ice access door toward the cooler housing to close the door, removing access to the ice compartment.
 15. The method steps of claim 12 further comprising obtaining a scoop or utensil to retrieve ice from the ice access.
 16. The method steps of claim 12 further comprising obtaining a scoop or utensil to retrieve ice from the ice receptacle.
 17. The method steps of claim 15 further comprising inserting the scoop or utensil through the threshold and collecting ice from the ice compartment.
 18. The method steps of claim 16 further comprising inserting the scoop or utensil into the door compartment and collecting ice from the door compartment.
 19. The method steps of claim 17 whereby a person holding the scoop or utensil angles the scoop or utensil upward to collect ice.
 20. The method steps of claim. 18 whereby the person holding the scoop or utensil angles the scoop or utensil upward to collect ice. 